Nowadays, a baby swing has become an essential baby furniture that parents include in their list of things to buy
. Not only can it work wonders in calming a fussy infant, it also provides temporary reprieve for parents and caregivers. Because it relieves them from having to cuddle baby all the time just to keep him quiet and satisfied, it permits them to find some time to relax and to do other chores. However, as a precaution in using any infant accessory, it is still considered dangerous to leave an infant unattended in an infant swing. Therefore, there are certain limitations on what you should and should not do when placing your baby on a swing.
Dos
Make sure that baby is comfortable. Check the mattress or padding for any hard sides or portions and for any crawling insect that may have landed on it.
Buckle baby up safely. Always strap him completely. As most infant swings have 5-point harnesses, make sure every strap is secured.
Place a mosquito net over the swing. Some models come with nets as an added accessory. If your unit doesn't have this, you can get one of these separately in baby accessories stores. You will need this to keep baby from mosquito bites to avoid malaria or dengue.
Don'ts
You should never leave your baby by himself for a long period. When leaving baby for a long bath or shower, make sure you assign someone to watch over him. Getting coffee or something very quickly may be fine but be sure not to leave him by himself for more than 5 minutes.
Setting the speed of motion on the highest level for a long period of time is also not advisable. You may think that it may instantly calm or soothe a crying baby but she might just get dizzy after a while. Shaking baby too hard whether in a swing or manually may cause serious head injuries and trauma which can lead to long term brain damage.
A baby swing may really be very handy when taking care of babies. But careful handling and use should also be taken to ensure that baby is safe and away from harm.